Women as Philanthropists: Unseen. Unheard. Undervalued.

Women as Philanthropists: Unseen. Unheard. Undervalued.

Theresa Butler-Porter, Senior Consultant, PGgrowth

This is a hybrid event.

Unlocking the Power of Women as Philanthropists In a field where women dominate as frontline fundraisers, why do traditional fundraising strategies often overlook women as major philanthropists? It’s time to challenge the status quo and rethink “best practices” that may not actually be best when it comes to engaging women donors.

This dynamic session will explore gender-specific giving, revealing research-backed insights into how women approach philanthropy differently. You’ll gain practical strategies to tap into the immense potential of women donors, fostering deeper connections and driving transformational giving. What you’ll gain:

• A fresh perspective on the power of women as donors

• Actionable ways to shift engagement strategies for greater impact

• Insight into evolving attitudes and behaviours that shape philanthropy today

Bring your experiences—your successes, challenges, and lessons learned—as we create a space to share, collaborate, and empower women’s philanthropy in meaningful ways. Are you ready to reimagine how you connect with women donors?

Let’s start the conversation.

About Theresa

Theresa Butler-Porter, MFA-P (Philanthropy) | Senior Consultant, PGgrowth For over two decades, Theresa Butler-Porter has been helping philanthropy do what it does best—create real, lasting change. With experience in fundraising across community impact, healthcare, and education, she knows that strong donor relationships are at the heart of meaningful giving. Now a Senior Consultant at PGgrowth, she specializes in legacy giving and women’s philanthropy, helping organizations build lasting impact while recognizing the vital role of female donors. Her passion for women’s giving was sparked over a decade ago when she discovered TD’s first Canadian Women and Philanthropy report. That moment led her to dive deep into the topic, engaging with the Women’s Philanthropy Institute at Indiana University. She’s also a 'loud and proud' advocate for planned giving, believing that the most powerful gifts are the ones that continue making an impact for generations. Energetic and engaging, Theresa loves sharing her knowledge through spirited presentations and mentorship. A lifelong learner and dedicated volunteer, she’s always looking for ways to inspire others to think differently about philanthropy. After all, as she likes to remind fundraisers, “When you have the courage to tap into the power of legacy giving and women’s philanthropy, you’re not just raising funds—you’re shaping the future.”